Acute Hematological and Inflammatory Responses to High-intensity Exercise Tests: Impact of Duration and Mode of Exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hematological and inflammatory responses to 4 maximal high-intensity protocols, considering energy expenditure in each test. 9 healthy volunteers performed 4 high-intensity exercise tests of short [Wingate (WANT); Repeated-sprints (RSA)] and long durations [Continuous VO2 test (VCONT); intermittent VO2 test (VINT)] in a cycle-ergometer, until exhaustion. Hematological parameters and IL-6, IL-10 and creatine kinase (CK) levels were determined before (PRE), POST, 30min, 1, 2, 12 and 24h after the end of the protocols. Additionally, energy expenditure was determined. Leucocytes, erythrocytes and lymphocytes increased at POST and returned to PRE values at 30min for all protocols. Lymphocytes had a second decreased at 2h and granulocytes increased at 2 h when compared to PRE. Both variables returned to PRE values between 12–24 h into recovery. The magnitude of response for IL-6 was greater in VINT and for IL-10 in VCONT. There was no association of energy expenditure within each exercise protocol with the pattern of IL-6, IL-10 and CK responses to the exercise protocols. The present finding support that similar responses after continuous or intermittent acute protocols are observed when exercises are performed to volitional failure, regardless of the duration and mode of exercise.